Photographic film carrier and development receptacle



R. STUART Feb. 27, 1940.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM CARRIER AND DEVELOPMENT RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Feb. 6, 1959 INVENTOR, E 2f $4 2 BY N E Y.

R. STUART Feb. 27, 1940.

PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM CARRIER AND DEVELOPMENT RECEPTACLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Feb. 6, 1939 INVENTOR. r77 30%,; 5%

Patented Feb. 27, 1940- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMCARRIER AND DEVELOPDIENT BECEPTACLE 12 Claim.

This invention relates to a combined film carrier and receptacle fordeveloping fluid whereby a film or plate may be loaded in the carrier,then inserted in a camera for exposure, then removed from the camera ina closed condition and finally a developing fluid is poured into thereceptacle or container of the carrier for developing the plate or film,after which it is removed and washed and dried, the whole operationbeing carried out without the use of a dark room or its equivalent.

More specific objects of the invention include a film carrier or holderwhich holds the film flat and which has an aperture or a transparentportion in one of the plates exposing the surface of the film upon whichthe picture is to be taken; this film carrier is mounted in a frame andthe frame is enclosed by a sliding receptacle which encloses the entirecarrier and frame except at the top where a flange of the frame makesthe receptacle lightproof. The carrier is inserted in the camera and thereceptacle is withdrawn sufiiciently to expose the film for taking thepicture, the carrier is then removed from the camera in a closed stateand, through a valve in the top of the carrier, developing fiuid ispoured into the receptacle for developing the picture.

The invention may be used with dry plates for taking the picture, inwhich case it is necessary only to center the plate in the frame. Theinvention is also usable for individual films for each picture which arepreferably clamped between a pair of glass plates. In the developingoperation, in order that the developing fluid may have access to theentire surface of the film the holding plates are separated so as toprovide a space between the plates and the film when the developingfluid is poured into the receptacle.

There is a developing fluid commercially available which combines theproperties of a developer and a fixing solution in one fluid and whichdoes not overdevelop the subject. When a developing fluid of this typeis used the receptacle can be set aside and filled with a measuredquantity of the developer for developing the picture subject withoutattention. When convenient the film is removed from the holder and istransferred to a washing bath in the daylight and after drying theoperation is complete.

The invention is carried out by the use of the receptacle which housesthe film and protects it from the light before it is exposed, which isadapted to be inserted in the camera for exposing the film and, afterremoval from the camera, this receptacle is adapted for use as acontainer for developing fluid so that the picture may be developed andbrought into use without the use of a dark room.

These and other objects of the invention will be more particularlyunderstood from the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings, 5 in which Fig. 1 is an edge view of the film holder;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the film holder corresponding with Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the film holder from 10 the rear with thehousing or receptacle sectioned;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the film holder and frame with the receptaclesectioned;

Fig. 5 is a front view of the frame and film holder showing one methodof inserting the film l6 holder in the frame;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the frame and film holder with thereceptacle withdrawn to the position necessary for exposing the film;

Fig. 7 is a cross section on line 1-1 of Fig. 4 20 Fig. 8 is a top planview of a camera showing the application of a film carrier thereto;

Fig. 9 is a vertical elevation sectioned on the center line of thecarrier showing the application of the developing fiuid thereto;

Fig. 10 is a carrier device for supporting the film in the washing bath;

Fig. 11 is a view taken on line llll of Fig. 10;

Figs. 12 and 13 show a side view with the receptacle sectioned and Fig.14 shows a corresponding 30 front view with the receptacle sectioned ofa modified form of carrier.

In the drawings, II is one plate of the film holder and I2 is theopposite plate between which the film I3 is clamped by means of therubber bands at II and I5 surrounding these plates. These plates arepreferably made of glass but at least one of them must be transparent orhave a transparent aperture therein so that the front of the film can beexposed in the camera. These plates may be notched as indicated at I6 tomake the edge of the film available when it is to be removed from theholder.

A frame is provided for the holder comprising a bottom U-shaped member22 and a top U- shaped member 23 developed from the cover 24; thesemembers are connected by the back plate 25 and the cover member may bepivoted to this back plate as indicated at 21. The holder, Fig.

2, is inserted as indicated in Fig. 5 in the channels formed by 22 and23 and it is centered in position by the rubber pads 33 at the bottomand 34 at the top. A pair of wedge-shaped members 3| are provided inchannel 22 and a wedge 35, developed from a stem in orifice 26, isprovided 'at the top. The plates II and I 2 of the holder are centeredover the apex of each of these wedges and wedge 35 can be depressed sothat the wedges 3|, together with II, force the plates 5 H and I2 apartand against the rubber cushions 33 and 34 thereby releasing the filmfrom the plates.

when the receptacle, or cover, 2| is slid into place as in Fig. 4, thefiangeof the top 24 makes a light-proof enclosure for the carrier sothat Fig. 9 in which a stand ll is provided to hold one or more of thecarriers in a vertical position. A container 42 is provided with a screwneck ll as which screws into the socket 28 and engages the stem 46 anddepresses it against spring 41, thereby removing the collar 48 fromagainst'the passages and 50 whereby fluid in 42 passes through .44 intochamber 45, and through the 30 passages 49 and 50 into the chamber 5|which is enclosed by the receptacle 2|. The wedgeshaped member 35, whichmay also be coneshaped, is attached to stem 48 and as this stem isdepressed the wedge is forced between plates II and I2 and these platesare forced downward against the wedge 3|, with the result that theyseparate from each other and leave a free space around the film IS inwhich the developing fluid can circulate. The rubber pads 33 and 34 aremade sufficiently soft to enable the plates II and I2 to spread underthe wedging action. The container 42 may be a flask having a capacitysuitable for the receptacle 2|, or it may be a funnel by which ameasured quantity of developing 4,5 fluid can be supplied to thecontainer 2|. It

should-be noted that the passages 49 and 50 remain sealed until the neck43 is screwed down in place and when the container is removed thesepassages are again sealed.

50 The developing and fixing operation is usually performed in a fewminutes and at any time convenient after this operation the receptacle2| is slid back, the developing fluid is poured out and may be saved forfurther operations, and

then film is removed to be washed and dried.

The device in Fig. 10 may be used for handling the film afterdevelopment and can generally be applied without the operator touchingthe film with the fingers. This comprises a rod ll,

' hooked at the upper end 02, from which it may be suspended in a jar ortray for washing purposes. It is provided with an arm 63 to which thespring jaw is pivoted at 85 and is arranged as to grip the edge of thefilm i3 and remove it from the holder. Any number of arms 02 may beprovided on the rod 8|.

This arrangement enables letters and documents produced in an ofiice tobe conveniently 7o photographed and the photographs to be developedwithout delay, without the use of a dark room, and without sending thephotographs, after they are taken, away from the desk where the exposurewas made. The photographs provide 75 a microfilm record of the subjectwhich is readily reproduced and which is small, compact and easily filedaway for future reference.

Inthe form of carrier shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the plates II and i2are pivotally secured at the top by a c-spring II which slides on the 6rod 14 secured to the top 25 at 15. The c-spring tends to open theplates as indicated in Fig. 13 with the film II projecting in thecenter. The bottom of the plates are clamped together by the clampingmember 16 attached to rod l1. 10 This rod can be depressed by plunger 18to release the plates and expose the film for developing. The developingfiuid may be located in reservoir II at the top and released by aplunger valve similar to 46. 15

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A film carrier comprising a holder for the film, a frame engagingsaid holder and exposing one face of the film and a cup-shapedreceptacle slidably enclosing said frame, said receptacle 20 beingadapted for insertion in a camera to expose the film when the receptacleis slid to the open position.

2. A film carrier comprising a holder for the film, a frame engagingsaid holder and exposing 25 one face of the film, means for centeringsaid film in said holder and a cup-shaped receptacle slidably enclosingsaid frame, said receptacle being adapted for insertion in a camera toexpose the film when the receptacle is slid to the open 3 position.

3. A film carrier comprising a holder for the film, a frame comprising aU-shaped member at the top and a U-shaped member at the bottom, a rigidsupport connecting said members, 5 said members engaging and supportingsaid holder in a predetermined position and a cup-shaped receptacleslidably enclosing said frame, said receptacle being adapted forinsertion in a camera to expose the film when the receptacle is slid to.m' the open position.

4. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a holder for thefilm, a frame engaging said holder and exposing one face of the film, areceptacle slidably enclosing said frame U and adapted for insertion ina camera to expose the film, said receptacle also being adapted to actas a receiver for developing fiuid for developing the film withoutremoving the film from the receptacle. 5 5. A film carrier anddeveloping receptacle comprising a holder for the film, a frame engagingsaid holder and exposing one face of the film, a receptacle slidablyenclosing said frame and adapted for insertion in a camera to expose 55the film, said receptacle also being adapted to act as a receiver fordeveloping fiuid for developing the film without removing the film fromthe receptacle and means for supplying a measured quantity of developingfluid to said receptacle.

6. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a framesupporting the film and exposing one face of the film, a removablereceptacle enclosing said frame and adapted for insertion in a camera toexpose the film. said cara rier being removable from the camera in aclosed. condition and being adapted to act as a receiver for developingfluid for developing the film without removing the film from thereceptacle.

'1. A film carrier and developingreceptacle comprising a holder for thefilm, a frame supporting holder having a top and bottom member, aremovable receptacle enclosing said frame and adapted for insertion in acamera to expose the film, said carrier being removable from the cameraI in a closed condition and being adapted to act as a receiver fordeveloping fluid for developing the film without removing the film fromthe receptacle and a valve in the top member through which fluid issupplied to the receptacle.

8. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a film, a holderfor said film with a plate of glass on each side of the film and meansfor clamping the plates against the film, a frame for said holderexposing one face of the film, a removable receptacle enclosing saidframe and adapted for insertion in a camera to expose the film, saidcarrier being removable from the camera in a closed condition and beingadapted to act as a receiver for developing fluid for developing thefilm and means for releasing the film from said plates during thedeveloping operation.

9. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a film with aplate of glass on each side of the film and means for clamping theplates against the film, a frame for said holder exposing one face ofthe film, a removable receptacle enclosing said frame and adapted forinsertion in a camera to expose the film, said carrier being removablefrom the camera in a closed condition and being adapted to act as areceiver for developing fluid for developing the film, an orifice with avalve at the top of said frame and a fluid container attached to saidorifice and opening said valve to supply fluid to the container.

10. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a film, a holderfor said film with a plate of glass on each side of the film and meansfor clamping the plates against the film, a frame for said holderexposing one face of the film, a removable receptacle enclosing saidframe and adapted for insertion in a camera to expose the film, saidcarrier being removable from the camera in a closed condition and beingadapted to act as a receiver for developing fiuid for developing thefilm, an orifice at the top of said frame, a stem in said orificeengaging said plates to separate the plates and a fluid containerattached to said orifice and depressing said stem to separate saidplates.

11. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a film, a holderfor said film with a plate of glass on each side of the film and meansfor clamping the plates against the film, a frame for said holderexposing one face of the film, a removable receptacle enclosing saidframe and adapted for insertion in a camera to expose the film, saidcarrier being removable from the camera in a closed condition and beingadapted for use as a receiver for developing fluid for developing thefilm, an orifice at the top of said frame having a stem therein, a wedgein said frame at the bottom of said plates, a second wedge at the top ofsaid plates connected with said stem, a fluid container and means forforcing said wedges to separate said plates as the fluid container isattached to said orifice.

12. A film carrier and developing receptacle comprising a film, a holderfor said film with a pair of plates for holding the film fiat, a framefor said holder exposing one face of the film, a removable receptacleenclosing said frame and adapted for insertion in the camera to exposethe film, said carrier being removable from the camera in a closedcondition and being adapted for use as a receiver for developing fiuidfor developing the film, an orifice with a valve at the top of saidframe, a fiuid container, a wedge in said frame and a stem in saidorifice connected with said valve and said wedge and means for operatingsaid stem to open said valve and force said wedge between said plates asthe fluid container is attached to said orifice.

ROBERT STUART.

